TOP band DXing is real ham radio challenge. 160m is also referred as the "Gentleman's Band"...

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Telescoping Fiberglass Mast - again...

16. února 2009 v 19:11 | Petr, OK1RP |  Antennas

Hi all,

just few days ago I found very interesting informations about another solution for support of the wire antennas like Inverted L, verticals etc. specially on 160m.
Please read an article about the common pluggable mast-system which is very useful for portable, DX-pedition or fixed station usage. A smile-price solution of best surplus quality is promised by company owner Jürgen Simon, DH5AB...dh5ab@tecadi.de.
 fibre dh5ab1
The Material:
GRP - glass fibre reinforced plastic, one of the stablest material used in modern life. In this case here even with more stability through a special building technolgy. These poles are made from a glass-fibre-tape which was laminated shift by shift until a wall-thickness of 3,0mm (!) is achieved. The result is a ultra-stable tube perfect for our ham-radio use. The former mission of these masts was carrying tent-tarps. wall-thickness: 2,5mm minimum

fibre dh5ab2

Dimensions and weight
total length:1,30m - eff. length:1,20m
weight: ca.1 Kg - diameter: ca. 35 (+0,5)mm
wall-thickness: 2,5 mm+
3 = 3,60m / 4 = 4,80m / 5 = 6,00m / 6 = 7,20m / 8 = 9,60m / 9 = 10,80m

dh5ab3
Contact information:
Jürgen Simon
Allerheiligengasse 6
99974 Mühlhausen/Thür.
Germany

Telefon/phone: +49(0)3601 405505
email: service@tecadi.de

Internet: www.tecadi.de

Einzelunternehmer
Steuernummer: 157/275/00178
USt.ID/VAT ID: DE254325193
I had no chance to test it but it seems very interesting at least. I am thinking about purchasing of set to test it for installation of Inv.L on the garden. Most important information is missing -> how much is willing to bend the mast on the top in case of lenght around 10m or more.
If anybody has an experiences with this mast then let us know over here please.
73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-
Počet komentářů: 1
 

Switch mode rubbish on 1810 - 1860 kHz in UK

16. února 2009 v 18:41 | Petr, OK1RP |  Operation topics
Hi,

maybe You are remember my article about forbiden frequencies on TB...

I asked all of You to let me know if some frequency is permanently unusable or QRMed in Your area to put it to the table .

This information arrived from John, G3PQA:

During the last month I have been hearing a new source of qrn which seems diffierent from the usual local switch mode rubbish. Only audible at night, and strongest on 90 deg. east beverage. Up to s7 at 2130z, s9 at 0130z, on east beverage and audible on all others. Not listened later in last couple of weeks, so dont know yet what time it disappears, but DF-ed it at 70 degrees - difficult to get accurate bearing as it is skywave. Sounds like power line qrn with phase distortion, a bit like the old Loran at a much higher frequency. Spreads from about 1810kHz to 1860kHz, strongest around 1839kHz.

I suspect it is coming from east UK or west EU, but difficult to locate without other reports.
Later on I will make recordings and try to DF from other locations.

Does anyone else hear it, (or have an idea of what it might be)?

Thanks 73
John G3PQA
If You have some similar experiences or even You know whais it then do not hesitate to email me to share with other Topbanders. Also please reply to John if possible.

73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-

Počet komentářů: 1

W1AW transmission on 160m

16. února 2009 v 18:31 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band reports
Good news arrived from Bill, W4ZV regarding the W1AW
transmission as follows:

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
ARLB012 W1AW to QSY on 160 Meters

ZCZC AG12
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT February 10, 2009
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB012
ARLB012 W1AW to QSY on 160 Meters

Starting Monday, March 9, Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be using
a new 160-meter frequency for its CW transmissions. To accommodate
increasing activity near the current bulletin frequency of 1817.5
kHz, W1AW will move to 1802.5 kHz to reduce the possibility of
interference.

Originally published on Topband mailing list
73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-
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Ukraine band plan for 160m

16. února 2009 v 18:27 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band plan
Hi Tree and all,

The limitation of ten watts in the Ukraine on 160 meters is kind of
Soviet times mark. It still exists, however many of contesters have
gotten permission of 1K up to 30 MHz. I got my some ten years ago. New
regulations are being worked up now. We hope we will see some positive
changes in it soon.

See you on the TB then. Last night W8LRL was the only NA called me. The
signal was quite good 579 w/o noticeable QSB.
73 Sergei UX1UA

Originally published on Topband mailing list

I am just forwarding it FYI...

73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-
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VK9G - Mellish reef on 160m

16. února 2009 v 18:21 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band reports
G'Day Topbanders,

Tomi (HA7RY) and I are heading out to Mellish Reef to
operate as VK9GMW. We will be active between Mar 22 and
Apr 6. (Dates subject to change due to WX.) We will have a
strong TB (and 80 m) focus, although we intend to operate
on the other HF bands too.

For more information and updates please see vk9gmw.com

73 and CU in the Pile-up!

George
AA7JV

This information was posted by George originally on Topband mailing list so it is good chance to catch Mellish reef on 160m band if condx will be ok.
Any informations about the QSOs from EU (or even from OK land) are appreciated of course.

73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-
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Solar wind - Topband condx prediction?

16. ledna 2009 v 20:35 | Petr, OK1RP |  Operation topics
Hi,

another interesting tips for Topband condx prediction coming from Ilmo, OH2BO (thanks to Greg, ZL3IX) as follows...

Ilmo Anttila wrote:
Topbanders

I do follow solar wind and dynamic pressure readings daily. To my opinion both of them indicate very well propagation on topband even better than A and K indexes.
Good rule of thumb is, if solar wind speed is less than 300km/s and dynamic pressure less than 0,5 nPa it is expected very good conditions to JA, NA and even direct over North Pole here in South Finland above 60 degrees North.

73

Ilmo, OH2BO

Orig.published on Topband mailing reflector

73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-

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SV2ASP/A - Mt. Athos on 160m - II.

16. ledna 2009 v 20:08 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band reports
Topbanders,


Sri for the false alarm. It seems Monk Apollo dutyies didn't allow him to be on topband agn morning. Any future info it will be shared on the Topband mailing reflector.

73's Agelos-SV3RF


Orig.published on Topband mailing reflector

73 - Petr, OK1RP
...-.-
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SV2ASP/A - Mt. Athos on 160m !

9. ledna 2009 v 18:44 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band reports
Topbanders,

smallathos
Monk Apollo was today for a second day attempting the SR from Mt Athos. Two State Side fellows made it in his log plus several EUs.
He promissed to try to be there for one more day, tomorrow 10th of January around 05:30z at 1843 +/- for those who need.
Although he uses a low dipole barefoot he hears quiet well being in an area free of noise.

Original published on Topband mail reflector by SV3RF-Agelos.

sv2asp/a It is unique chance to catch Mt.Athos on Topband so be ready in time on the band.
QSL direct only to :

Monk Apollo
Docheiariou Monastery
63087 Dafni - Mount Athos
Greece


athos2 The twenty monasteries in hierarchical order are as follows:






A' Holy Monastery of MEGISTI LAVRAB' Holy Monastery of VATOPEDION

C' Holy Monastery of IVIROND' Holy Monastery of HILANDARION

E' Holy Monastery of DIONYSOSF' Holy Monastery of KOUTLOUMOUSION

G' Holy Monastery of PANTOKRATORI' Holy Monastery of XIROPOTAMOS

J' Holy Monastery of ZOGRAFOSK' Holy Monastery of DOCHIARIOS

L' Holy Monastery of KARAKALOSM' Holy Monastery of FILOTHEOS

N' Holy Monastery of SIMON PETRASO' Holy Monastery of SAINT (AGIOS) PAVLOS

P' Holy Monastery of STAYRONIKITASQ' Holy Monastery of XENOPHON

R' Holy Monastery of GREGORIOSS' Holy Monastery of ESFIGMENOS

T' Holy Monastery of PANTELEIMONY' Holy Monastery of KOSTAMONITIS

Geography

Mount Athos is situated in the entire third, eastern and most beautiful peninsula of Halkidiki, called the peninsula of Athos. It is the only place in Greece that is completely dedicated to prayer and worship of God.
For this reason, it is called the Holy Mount.
The Holy Mount is about 50 Km in length, 8 to 12 Km in width and it covers an area of about 350 square kilometres.
The borders of the monasterial city are defined on the ground by an imaginary line that starts from the location "FRAGOKASTRO" in the West coast and reaches the cape "ARAPIS" in the opposite end.
The natural beauty of the peninsula is extraordinary. The highest point of Mount Athos is like a huge cone, reaching 2033 metres in height. It's a naked, treeless crest that seems to lance the sky and its slopes are fully covered by ancient evergreens. All these help to create an area of incomparable natural beauty.

Political Situation

The Holy Mount is a self- governed part of the Greek state, subject to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its political aspect and to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinopole as regards its religious aspect.
It has been divided into twenty self- governed territories. Each territory consists of a cardinal monastery and some other monastic establishments that surround it (cloisters, cells, cottages, seats, hermitages).
All the monasteries are communes (of a convent nature) which means that there is common liturgy, prayer, housing, nourishing and work among the monks. The Superior of the monastery, being elected by the monks for life, is responsible for the affairs of the monastery. The Superiors of the monasteries are members of the Holy Assembly and exercise legislative authority.
Moreover, every year the monastery elects its representative to the Holy Community which exercises administrative authority, while the Holy Supervision exercises executive authority and consists of 4 members, elected by the 5 hierarchically preceding monasteries.


73 - Petr, OK1RP

...-.-


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Bajo Nuevo and Roncador Bank - 5K0T new callsign

3. listopadu 2008 v 13:27 | Petr, OK1RP |  Band reports

bajoisl
Hello Topbanders,

Please note that we have been issued a new callsign: 5K0T.

We are being told that this is to avoid possible conflict
with a previous operation. The previously announced
callsign 5J0T will not be used.

Best 73,

George
AA7JV

For details see: http://www.5k0t.com

This news was published by George, AA7JV on


Good luck,

73 - Petr, OK1RP
Počet komentářů: 4

Message from HS0ZEE

3. listopadu 2008 v 13:19 | Petr, OK1RP |  Home
Hi,
Thought you might be interested in the following text received from
Sheridon HS0ZEE:

"This week end has been diabolical on 160 as several DXperdition around
like VU 4 & 7 & A43DLH, as well as RA speed contest, all working split,
I gave up a couple of times not because of the QRM but because no clear
frequency to listen on for replies, difficult to know who is calling who.

My noise level much like on 80 meters is 100% static, meter on the
Kenwood TS940s is mostly up around S+40 dips a little a couple of hours
before sunrise.

I also find I seem to copy better, despite my noise level, much better
than most stations calling me, I have had to actually call station to
get a reply, many times. It is now my standard procedure with every call
to send call signs twice. That's 2 with the report, 2 with the closing
TU, and if not confirmed 2 again. Possible the report 2 again. So thats
as many as 8 times to identify who I am calling, so it's not only always
me not hearing."

That is the message published by Dave, EI3IO on

73 - Petr, OK1RP
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